Conference workshops will help job seekers, entrepreneurs
Job seekers and entrepreneurs alike will have opportunities as part of The American Legion’s annual Washington Conference starting later this week.
The American Legion’s Veterans Employment & Education Division and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will host a Winter Meeting Employment Forum and Hiring Our Heroes job fair at the Washington Hilton on Friday, Feb. 19.
As part of the Hiring Our Heroes job fair series, the forum was designed to help veterans, servicemembers and their spouses find meaningful careers in the civilian workforce. The forum’s workshops will afford attendees opportunities to become more proficient in financial literacy, learn the ins and outs of LinkedIn, and work on personal branding. The workshops will run from 10 a.m. to noon.
Following the morning sessions, a job fair and networking session will be held from 1-4 p.m., creating a unique opportunity for job seekers to engage with employers. Breaking away from more traditional job fairs, the afternoon’s event will foster the perfect atmosphere for attendees to practice and perfect their elevator pitches, explore new career paths and expand their professional networks.
Attendees may pre-register here. Pre-registration is recommended but not required; attendees can register at the door.
And on Feb. 23-24, The American Legion is conducting a Veterans Small Business Workshop in D.C.
The free workshop, "Small Business Roadmap to Success," is geared toward servicemembers, veterans and spouses who own their own businesses or are thinking about starting one.
The two-day intensive entrepreneurship course was collectively created by the Legion and other local nonprofits and small businesses, including Vets GSA LLC, Goldschmitt & Associates LLC. and the National Veterans Small Business Coalition.
Upon completion of the course, participants will have the tools and knowledge they need to identify solid business opportunities, avoid common pitfalls and maximize their earning potential.
“For many veterans entrepreneurship is a viable option, especially for those who may find the job market tough to navigate," said Joe Sharpe, director of The American Legion’s Employment and Education Division. “That is one reason why, according to the SBA, veterans are more likely as non-veterans to start their own small business.
“We recognize how important it is that we assist and advocate on behalf of our veterans who are self-employed. This is why The American Legion is one of the few veterans service organizations that have invested extensively tangible programs and services for veteran entrepreneurs.”
The Legion’s Small Business Roadmap to Success will include two full days of classes on policy updates, best practices and legal pitfalls. It will also include multiple networking sessions and a business luncheon where federal procurement officials and large businesses will be present to engage small businesses in contracting opportunities.
Servicemembers, veterans, spouses and small businesses looking to partner with veteran-owned small businesses are welcome to attend the event and can register online here.
More information on the Washington Conference is available here.